11 Tips for Avoiding Ridiculous Hotel Fees

Hotels seem to be perfecting the practice of adding extra fees. In fact, fees in the hospitality industry have been multiplying like rabbits in spring. Some of those unpleasant surprise add-ons include:

Early check-in fees.

Early check-out fees.

Cancellation fees.

Fees for using the room safe.

Fees to hold your baggage behind the front desk.

Automatic gratuities (tips for staff).

Hotels have become adept at hiding fees, revealing them only in fine print on a website, in the final stages of a transaction or as you check out at the end of a stay. For example, you might find a $25 charge on your bill for using Wi-Fi, or a fee for storing your own yogurt in the minibar fridge.

Sadly, hotel fees may be here to stay. So, it is up to consumers to be vigilant. Here are 11 ways to help you find and avoid or fight hotel fees:

1. Read the fine print

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Shocked incredulity may not be an effective defense when you are checking out and discover surprise fees added to your bill. Instead, find and read the rules found on a hotel’s website, during check-in and in the room. Also, ask for a list of fees when you check in.

And when shopping for a hotel, keep an eye out for “daily resort charges” and “resort charge” in ads and promotions.

3. Look up resort fees

4. Negotiate a waiver

Some hotels will waive fees if you tell them at check-in that you won’t be using the items — such as Wi-Fi, the gym or the pool — covered by the fees.

5. Steer clear of hotels with fees

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The surest way to deal with hotel fees is to avoid hotels that charge them. Choose establishments that show all the charges upfront. Booking a room in an independent hotel or motel — or a bed and breakfast — instead of a chain often can help you avoid fees.

6. Use peer-to-peer home rentals

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Skip hotels entirely and instead rent a private home through sites like Homestay and VRBO. These typically charge a cleaning deposit and booking fee, but the companies’ websites should display such costs clearly. In addition, incremental fees for use of equipment or amenities are uncommon.

“I have also had mixed success with getting resort fees waived at select hotels,” he says, adding that hospitality chain rewards programs typically offer elite status to guests who use their co-branded credit card.

8. Book with rewards points

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ThePointsGuy says that some chains or certain hotels in a chain will waive resort fees when you book using rewards points. Read the blog post for a detailed discussion.

9. Park elsewhere

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Hotels — even suburban hotels and motels — have begun charging to park in their nonvalet lots. Your options include:

Finding free on-street parking.

Staying in the suburbs, where parking is often free or cheaper.

Searching the internet for cheaper parking garages near your hotel.

Using a coupon. Search online for “parking” and “coupons” and the city’s name.

10. Rethink the minibar

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The minibar can be expensive. So, avoid it.

Don’t eat or drink treats from the minibar unless you are desperate, or are ready for big charges. In fact, don’t even open your room’s refrigerator. Avoiding it entirely is the best way to avoid a shock on your room bill.

Want a chilled beverage or snack? Fill your room’s ice bucket with ice from down the hall and keep your goodies in it.

11. Foil Wi-Fi fees

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Fewer hotels are charging for in-room internet access. But for those that still do, here are some workarounds:

Own your own Wi-Fi hotspot: If it’s capable, turn your cellphone into a personal hotspot. “A Personal Hotspot lets you share the cellular data connection of your iPhone or iPad,” explains Apple in this how-to. (Don’t forget to check with your wireless carrier to find out if this will cost you additional data charges.)

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Marilyn Lewis

After a career in daily newspapers I moved to the world of online news in 2001. I specialize in writing about personal finance, real estate and retirement. I love how the Internet ... More

After a career in daily newspapers I moved to the world of online news in 2001. I specialize in writing about personal finance, real estate and retirement. I love how the Internet brings readers and writers together. Talk to me at [email protected]